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Photo ©: Sirotti

Montreal World Cup - CDM

Canada, May 28, 2005, 2005

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Jeanson generates a great win

by Matt Hansen

Genevieve Jeanson seals victory
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
Click for larger image

The "Queen of Lachine", the "Generator", call her what you will - Geneviève Jeanson can now add "Four-time winner of the Montreal World Cup" to her list of nicknames. The 23-year-old took an impressive victory today, waiting until the final gallop up the steep finishing sprint to burn away from the remains of the peloton.

After threats of rain, sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted the 97-strong field on the slopes of Mont Royal today for the seventh round of the women's World Cup. The tough course, composed of twelve 8.35km laps, for a 100km total, proved once again to be a race of attrition - but only in the closing laps.

Perhaps out of fear of the grueling 2km climb that riders must tackle each lap, the pace from the get-go was pedestrian - the pack bunched up from both sides of the road, giving the appearance of a training ride, not a World Cup race. The European teams like Buitenpoort - Flexpoint Team, Nurnberger Versicherung or Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan, still feeling the effects of the tough Tour de l'Aude stage race and transcontinental flight, seemed content to ride at an slow pace and allow their legs to warm up, allowing some of the local riders in the race a chance to truly soak in the only stop on the World Cup circuit in North America.

Despite the easy pace, all the contenders were still seen at the front, being careful not to let someone creep away. Jeanson was always floating at the front of the field, in her words, being "vigilant and focused", often finding herself riding near her longtime rival Lyne Bessette (Ellicyle Sport Expert/Louis Garneau). But it wasn't until the final three laps of the race where things started getting serious. With nine laps covered, the field was still quite large - almost fifty riders still remained - but not for long.

Suzanne Ljungskog (Buitenpoort-Flexpoint)
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
Click for larger image

On lap nine, Amber Neben, now riding for the Buitenpoort - Flexpoint squad, made a charge that brought a flurry of action from the field and saw Jeanson match the American up the climb; this short-lived move was to be the straw that broke the peloton's back, as more and more riders soon began falling off the pace. By the 10th lap, Jeanson was still seen at the front of the pack, testing her legs and her competition, almost burning the leaders off as they crested the climb for the third-to-last time. This more or less proved to separate the "women from the girls", as the peloton rid itself of any pretender, now a group of just under twenty riders.

Tour de l'Aude stage winner Gollan tried on the descent, followed by a number of counters which would not stick. Perhaps hoping to emulate Dede Barry's surprise win of 2002, all the strong European teams alternated sending their riders for solos. Interestingly, several ex-RONA riders were quite active, such as New Zealand's Meshy Holt, who later added that she "felt great today; really super, and stoked to be back racing in Canada. This is such a great race, such a great crowd." Jeanson's former lieutenant, Erinne Willock, now with a carte blanche to lead her Webcor team today, had the help of Olympian Christine Thorburn and Katheryn Curi, both visible at the front in the final laps of the race, setting tempo leading up to the hill. Jeanson herself remarked upon this phenomenon after the race, saying, "I knew I had to stay focused and careful. I saw all of my old teammates today at the front, but they were on other teams!"

Linda Serup
Photo ©: Mitch Friedman
Click for larger image

The final lap saw Biovail's Lynn Gaggioli almost fool them all. "Gagg" took advantage of a moment of hesitation in the lead group over the top of the climb and used her terrific jump to get a slight lead on the descent. But the pack strung itself out and Gaggioli was brought back - until she launched again, creating a gap of a few hundred metres that looked like it might just work. But it was not to be; with a kilometre to go she was reeled in.

As the climb continued, Neben went to the front and was surrounded by all the favourites left: Jeanson, Willock, Suzanne Ljungskog and Judith Arndt were grouped together, setting the stage for a tough sprint finish. But still, apprehension reigned supreme, and it was Willock who broke the stalemate, attacking on the steepest section of the course around the final corner. Jeanson jumped on Willock's wheel and came by her, as the Webcor rider faded, ultimately finishing sixth. Jeanson continued hard, driving it to put an impressive gap on Oenone Wood and Mirjam Melchers-van Poppel, both of whom had played it cool until the finale - perhaps waiting too long and underestimating Jeanson's kick, which saw her take a strong win.

Post race, Jeanson said of Willock, "She was climbing very well and I took her wheel. But I was watching her closely and, as soon as I felt she was losing momentum, I went full throttle. I didn't know what was going on behind me, I looked back and saw a gap. Then I knew I had won."

Of the race overall, Jeanson commented, "It was a wait-and-see game today, but I was prepared for anything; I waited for attacks, I was ready to respond, I was in alert mode from start to finish. I was concentrating so hard that the race went by in a flash. Now I'm more drained mentally than physically.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mitch Friedman/www.mitchophoto.com

Results

1 Geneviève Jeanson (Can) ACDA -Rona                                 2.55.43
2 Oenone Wood (Aus) Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung                      0.02
3 Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel (Ned) Buitenpoort - Flexpoint Team         0.04
4 Annette Beutler (Swi) QUARK                                               
5 Suzanne Ljungskog (Swe) Buitenpoort - Flexpoint Team                      
6 Erinne Willock (Can) Webcor Builders Women's Cycling Team                 
7 Judith Arndt (Ger) Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung                         
8 Christine Thornburn (USA) Webcor Builders Women's Cycling Team            
9 Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Nobili Rubinetterie - Menikini Cogeas             
10 Dorte Lohse Rasmussen (Den) Team S.A.T.S                             0.11
11 Amber Neben (USA) Buitenpoort - Flexpoint Team                       0.13
12 Andrea Graus (Aut) ELK Haus - Tirol No                               0.15
13 Susan Palmer-Komar (Can) Colavita/Cooking Light                      0.20
14 Dotsie Cowden (USA) Colavita/Cooking Light                           0.22
15 Patricia Schwager (Swi) ELK Haus - Tirol No                          0.31
16 Lynn Gaggioli (USA) Biovail                                          0.42
17 Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Nobili Rubinetterie - Menikini Cogeas       0.52
18 Lyne Bessette (Can) Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau              1.00
19 Daniella Fusar Poli (Ita) Nobili Rubinetterie - Menikini Cogeas      1.03
20 Ana Paola Madrinan Villegas Col Federacion Colombiana de Ciclismo    1.10
21 Katheryn Curi (USA) Webcor Builders Women's Cycling Team             2.02
22 Kirsten Robbins (Can) Équipe Nationale du Canada                         
23 Trine Hansen (Den) Team S.A.T.S                                          
24 Olga Slyusareva (Rus) Nobili Rubinetterie - Menikini Cogeas          2.08
25 Olivia Gollan (Aus) Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung                       
26 Melissa Holt (NZl) Team S.A.T.S                                          
27 Rachel Heal (GBr) Team S.A.T.S                                       2.13
28 Kim Anderson (USA) Colavita/Cooking Light                            2.19
29 Sigrid Corneo (Ita) Nobili Rubinetterie - Menikini Cogeas            2.34
30 Leigh Hobson (Can) Diet Cheerwine                                    3.40
31 Felicia Greer (Can) Webcor Builders Women's Cycling Team                 
32 Maria Luisa Calle Williams Col Federacion Colombiana de Ciclismo     3.42
33 Amy Moore (Can) QUARK                                                    
34 Stéphanie Bourbeau (Can) Équipe du Québe                             3.46
35 Michelle Beltran (USA) Colavita/Cooking Light                        3.49
36 Miyoko Karami (Jpn) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan                        3.56
37 Barbara Howe (USA) Velo Bella                                        3.59
38 Susan Weldon (USA) Subway                                                
39 Alessandra Grassi (Ita) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan                    4.22
40 Crissa Ruite (USA) Composite international-BASIS                     4.37
41 Grace Fleury (USA) QUARK                                             5.02
42 Anke Wichmann (Ger) Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung                   5.11
43 Audrey Lemieux (Can) QUARK                                           5.31
44 Merrill Collins (Can) Diet Cheerwine                                 7.09
45 Sima Trapp (USA) Subway                                                  
46 Kistine Danielson (USA) Composite international-BASIS                    
47 Melissa Sanborn (USA) Subway                                             
48 Linda Serup (Den) Buitenpoort - Flexpoint Team                           
49 Madeleine Lindberg (Swe) Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung              7.14
50 Stefanie Graeter (USA) Webcor Builders Women's Cycling Team          7.50
51 Jennifer Stephenson (Can) Biovail                                    8.54
52 Gessica Turato (Ita) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan                       8.56
53 Tara Ross (Can) Diet Cheerwine                                       9.14
54 Hiroko Shimada (Jpn) Velo Bella                                      9.36
55 Betina Hold (Can) Webcor Builders Women's Cycling Team              11.03
56 Melodie Metzger (USA) Velo Bella                                         
57 Nicole Wangsgard (USA) Subway                                       12.09
58 Gabriella Gonzalez-Ferrat (Mex) Velo Bella                          12.44
59 Christine Mueller (Ger) ELK Haus - Tirol No                         16.13
60 Jennifer Chapman (USA) Velo Bella                                        
61 Rhonda Stickle (Can) Diet Cheerwine                                 17.04
62 Monica Lorena Mendes Ortiz Col Federacion Colombiana de Ciclismo    17.46
63 Amanda Shaw (Can) Biovail                                                
64 Millerlandy Escobar Col Federacion Colombiana de Ciclismo                
65 Dulce Pliego Moreno (Mex) Composite international-BASIS                  
66 Caroline Montminy (Can) Équipe du Québe                                  
67 Cathrine Walberg (USA) ACDA -Rona                                        
68 Caroline Théberge (Can) Équipe du Québe                                  
69 Helena Coney (Can) Composite international-BASIS                         
70 Lisa Sweeney (Can) Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau                   
71 Anna Garnett (Can) Biovail                                               
72 Rebecca Nelson (Can) Biovail                                             
73 Kelly Benjamin (USA) ACDA -Rona                                          
74 Magan Long (USA) ACDA -Rona                                              
75 Marielle Aunave (Fra) Composite international-BASIS                      
76 Jennifer Magur (USA) Biovail                                             
 
Did not Finish
 
 Regina Schleicher (Ger) Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung                     
 Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan                           
 Patricia Hempel (Ger) ELK Haus - Tirol No                                  
 Anna Tratnyek (Can) Équipe Nationale du Canada                             
 Kylie case (Can) Équipe Nationale du Canada                                
 Jenny Trew (Can) Équipe Nationale du Canada                                
 Suzanne Macht (Can) Équipe Nationale du Canada                             
 Heather Lamson (Can) Équipe Nationale du Canada                            
 Helen Kelly (Aus) QUARK                                                    
 Kate Sherwin (USA) QUARK                                                   
 Joanie Caron (Can) Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau                     
 Geneviève Gagnon (Can) Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau                 
 Julie Bélanger (Can) Diet Cheerwine                                        
 Julia Farell (Can) Diet Cheerwine                                          
 Élisa Gagnon (Can) Équipe du Québe                                         
 Marie-Pier Bédard (Can) Équipe du Québe                                    
 Ashley Robinson (Ber) Composite international-BASIS                        
 Monika Schachl (Aut) ELK Haus - Tirol No                                   

World Cup standings

1 Oenone Wood (Aus) Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung      242
2 Susanne Ljunskog (Swe) Buitenpoort - Flexpoint Team   223